BizAsia’s Must-See Winter Movies 2017-18

It’s that time of year once again where BizAsiaLive.com looks at the next few months and gives you a summarised list of the films to watch out for. So far, 2017 has seen quite a few duds unexpectedly but, as with every year, the biggies come in the final few months of the year. Take a look at our list below and see which films make our list of must-see films for the autumn-winter period.

‘Simran’
Release date: 15th September
Director:  Hansal Mehta
*ing: Kangna Ranaut
From the trailers of ‘Simran’, it seems Kangna Ranaut is to be back with a bang after ‘Rangoon’ (2016). She’s always been a pataakha on the screen and ‘Simran’ promises no less. The film’s story is roughly based on Sandeep Kaur, an NRI who was convicted of a few robberies. No doubt Ranaut’s performance will be one to look out for.

‘Judwaa 2’
Release date: 29th September
Director:  David Dhawan
*ing: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu
As far as contemporary remakes of yesteryear films go, ‘Judwaa 2’ is perhaps one of those that many will be waiting for. The first trailer and songs have given way to much excitement as Varun Dhawan steps into the double role originally essayed by Salman Khan. So far, there have been no disappointments as such and it seems this film should create its own fan following once its released.

‘Chef’
Release date: 6th October
Director:  Raja Krishna Menon
*ing: Saif Ali Khan
‘Chef’ is a Hollywood remake of a film of the same name. Raja Krishna Menon takes up this film after the much appreciated ‘Airlift’ (2016) and it’s one that we should be waiting for. Saif Ali Khan in the protagonist’s role is also something which will be interesting to see after ‘Rangoon’ earlier this year which didn’t strike the right chord.

‘Ittefaq’
Release date: 3rd November
Director:  Abhay Chopra
*ing: Sidharth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha, Akshaye Khanna
Another remake coming our way is ‘Ittefaq’, an adaptation of a film of the same name which released in 1969. With Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha teaming up for the first time and Akshaye Khanna adding to the equation, the film is already up there in the list of films we are definitely waiting on tenterhooks for. It’s being said that the original story has been given a fresh take so it’ll be quite something to see a modern take which this combination of actors.

‘Padmavati’
Release date: 17th November
Director:  Sanjay Leela Bhansali
*ing: Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone
This list would most definitely be incomplete without ‘Padmavati’ which is one of the most awaited films this year. The shoot has seen a number of obstacles but the release is being planned as scheduled. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one filmmaker who always pushes the boat out and with Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in the main roles, this one is one of the biggest films to be hitting the screens this year… and anticipation is at an all-time high!

‘Tiger Zinda Hai’
Release date: 22nd December
Director:  Ali Abbas Zafar
*ing: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
Salman Khan is reuniting with ‘Sultan’ (2016) director Ali Abbas Zafar for ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ which is said to be the second part of 2012’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’. With Katrina Kaif joining him once more and locations such as Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, this one sure looks like it’ll be worth a watch just before Christmas.

‘Aiyaary’
Release date: 26th January 2018
Director:  Neeraj Pandey
*ing: Sidharth Malhotra, Manoj Bajpayee, Rakul Preet Singh
When it comes to crime dramas and heists, there are no better hands than Neeraj Pandey’s. He directs the forthcoming ‘Aiyaary’, bringing together Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee. The film is currently in between schedule and is based on a real-life incident. If the unusual cast doesn’t get you to the cinemas for this, make sure Pandey’s successes with this genre are the reason.

‘Padman’
Release date: 26th January 2018
Director:  R Balki
*ing: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Whenever an R Balki film is on the horizon, excitement is always on the increase. This particular offering is based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham who made an affordable sanitary pad making machine. With Akshay Kumar making a new shift towards social issues in films, this film will definitely be an interesting watch. Amitabh Bachchan will be seen in a cameo appearance too.

‘Drive’
Release date: 2nd March 2018
Director:  Tarun Mansukhani
*ing: Sushant Singh Rajput, Jacqueline Fernandez
Tarun Mansukhani returns as director with ‘Drive’ after the much loved ‘Dostana’ (2008). Producer Karan Johar has confirmed that this film will be the first in a franchise so intrigue around it should be heightened as it gears up for release next year. The fresh jodi of Sushant Singh Rajput and Jacqueline Fernandez are sure to have audiences waiting eagerly.

Sanjay Dutt biopic
Release date: 30th March 2018
Director:  Rajkumar Hirani
*ing: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala
The biopic on Sanjay Dutt is a film that has been in the making for what feels like forever. After its release was pushed three months, audiences will already be looking forward to watching Ranbir Kapoor step into Dutt’s shoes. Manisha Koirala will be seen playing Nargis (Dutt’s mother) and this will also provide an interesting dimension to look out for. March 2018 can’t come soon enough.

As always, there are those films that don’t quite fit into our list but we think they deserve a special mention. The first of those is Sanjay Dutt’s comeback movie ‘Bhoomi’ which also stars Aditi Rao Hydari. This film looks and feels like something new, with Dutt’s return being one of the most-awaited. The film will be hitting the screens on 22nd September.

Rohit Shetty is back with his most popular franchise and the fourth instalment, titled ‘Golmaal Again’. Along with most of the previous cast, Parineeti Chopra and Tabu are adding to the mix this time and the film is slated for an October release around Diwali, if reports are to be believed. An exact date hasn’t yet been announced.

Aamir Khan comes back as producer for ‘Secret Superstar’ which marks the directorial debut of Advait Chandan who used to be Khan’s manager. The film is based on a school girl played by Zaira Wasim who has to fight the odds to fulfil her dream of becoming a singer. Khan will be seen in an interesting cameo role. The film arrives on 19th October.

The last but not the least for our special mentions is Anushka Sharma’s next production ‘Pari’. It’s being touted as an unusual love story with a hint of mystery. The first posters have already been creating waves and no doubt Sharma’s performance will be something to look forward to. The film is scheduled to release on 9th February.

Well, that brings our list to an end once more. Until the spring and summer season comes in, we hope we’ve managed to whet your appetite suitably for the next six months or so.